Village defends decision to trim street project

May 17, 2013

LISBON - At least one resident is displeased with the decision to remove the new waterline and sidewalks from the West High Street project.

Paul Preston, who lives on Thomas Road at the end of West High Street, told Village Council at this week's meeting he wishes those parts of the project would have remained.

"The whole street needs to be done," he told council.

The key improvements planned for West High Street include resurfacing the street and installing a new concrete gutter system to better direct storm runoff east to storm sewers near North Beaver Street.

Board of Public Affairs member Bill Hoover told Preston the waterline and sidewalk components were part of a "wish list, a best case scenario ... but the money that was received only goes as far as it can go."

The project costs an estimated $317,289, which is being funded with a state grant obtained by the village and Columbiana County commissioners contributing the rest from a federal grant they receive annually.

Replacing the waterline would have added another $170,000 to the project cost, money the village lacks. "If you got a source for $170,000, we'll listen," said BPA Chairwoman Carol Petrachkoff.

Mayor Dan Bing agreed. "We need the funding, that's the key ... We can only do what we can do," he said.

In other action, council authorized zoning/building Inspector John Yenges to issue a letter ordering Gary Morgan to have a report completed within 30 days on the structural integrity of his rental property on West Washington Street that the village wants to raze.

After Yenges recommended demolishing the house because of its condition, Morgan told council he would paint and make structural changes to the building. Zoning Secretary Alisa Gostey reported at the meeting she had a letter from Morgan saying he would hire a structural engineer as his expense to examine the house if that would satisfy council. Council decided to take Morgan up on his offer and wait for the structural engineer's report before taking further action.